Choices and changes

Saturday, October 11

We’re still here!

“Here” is our camp on a forest road off Route 50 between Salina and Scipio, Utah.

Bridget and I scale back our daily exercise program.

We’ve been going for long walks twice daily and, if you’ve read this blog recently, you’ve seen the great results on Bridget’s fanny. She’s slimmed down quite a bit and seems to have more pep, not having extra weight to haul around.

Well, after our morning walk, Bridget takes a nap.

When she wakes, she stands up in bed and yelps. Now she has a limp. A problem with the leg she injured in The Oregon Chipmunk Chase of 2013 was bound to appear eventually. Darn it. I hoped that was a long way off. Anyway. . . .

We’re giving the leg a rest, only walking enough to keep from going bonkers and only if she feels like it.

Besides working on tech stuff, I make plans to move camp tomorrow.

Sunday, October 12

I wake to the rocking of the Best Little Trailer and the rattling of the ceiling vent. Hmm. . . we might not be going anywhere today. I go online and check the weather forecasts. The route from Salina south will be windy with gusts up to 29 mph.

The Perfect Tow Vehicle can tow fine in that wind.

But I’d rather not. I don’t like driving in wind and setting up a new camp in wind. I like to mosey along and stop for a photo here and there. On a windy day I tend not to do that. I just go, go, go.

However, one of the reasons I planned to leave today was to get away from a predicted low in the 30s overnight for the Salina area. Our next destination will be warmer, both during the day and the night.

It comes down to this: Do we travel in gusting wind to avoid a cold night? Or do we stay through a cold night to avoid travel in gusting wind? Wind or cold, wind or cold?

I choose cold.

Bridget and I will be warm and cozy inside the BLT and we’ll wake to a calm day . . . a better day for moving camp!

After a morning of technology stuff, Bridget and I attempt a walk.

We don’t go far before Bridget sits down in the road and refuses to go any farther.

“That’s okay, honey. We don’t have to walk. I’ll carry you home.”

I complete a few tasks in preparation for driving tomorrow.

I rearrange stuff in the back of the PTV to prevent a landslide occurring should I open the back doors. (That has happened and it’s embarrassing. Picture stuff rolling across a parking lot and me crawling under someone’s car.)

I clean the windshield, mirrors, and side windows. I check the tire pressure. Oil looks good from the recent oil change. I also clean the BLT. All those days of feeling lousy with a cold, well, I got behind . . . .

I forgot to mention that I did get the laundry done one afternoon in Salina.

I wouldn’t want you thinking I go months between washes!

The rest of the day I wrangle with my Hostgator account. I’ve made progress clearing up some problems. I’m not done, but I’m far enough along that I can take a break in order to move camp tomorrow.

It’s been fun seeing the leaves change while at this camp and photographing the beautiful colors. And it was good to see Del again.

Speaking of change, I think you’ll be surprised how different our next camp is from this one.

Change is one of the things I love about life as a vagabond!

rvsue

NOTE: If you don’t hear from me in the next day or so, it’s most likely because we’ve moved into an area with weak internet signal. I’ve read all your comments and although I want to respond, it’s too much to do, along with blogging and this other tech stuff. If I reply to one I feel I need to reply to every comment. Thank you for sharing your day and recent happenings and possibilities in your life!

I always like to listen to my inner voice and I think you made the right decision about staying put and letting the wind die down. Hope you had a cozy night. I hate hearing Bridget’s leg is hurting her again. She might have over worked it on your wonderful walks. I’m saying a little prayer for her tonight.
Change…… that’s the one thing that is constant. Since my husband passed in May my entire life is one big change. I’m constantly thinking of what my life is going to be like once I sell my home and get on the road. Wow…. it won’t be long for me. I’m putting my house up for sale in December, or January. After that who knows when and how it will all work out. Getting rid of so many memories and material things that used to mean the world to me. I just keep on keeping on.

Deb, I’m sorry to hear about your husband. You’re a wise person to listen to your inner voice. It will never steer you wrong. I admire your determination. Selling your house & heading out on the road will be a big change for you. I’m reading John Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley”. You might enjoy it. Take good care of yourself.

Deb, you’re not really getting rid of the memories, just the “stuff” attached to them although I know how different things trigger our memories. If they’re pleasant memories, take pictures of the stuff and you can reminisce when you look at the pictures without being burdened with lots of stuff.

Deb, I am downsizing also. What has been helping me “let go” of all my stuff is to take photos of it all. It’s been difficult but I got to the point where I just want all the stuff to be gone and the house sold so I can get my motor home and move on with my life. Good luck to you!

This is an excellent idea – taking photos. Another thought – we often think about writing the great American novel – as in our autobiography for the children and grandchildren. It seems quite a daunting task but I believe I have found a way. Take a photo of a moment in time; place it on a page, and then write about it. My first one, which gave me the idea, was of a postcard of a school I attended in Switzerland 60 years ago. Purely by chance I transferred the picture to a word doc and then wrote about the experience, which expanded beyond the school to the broader aspects of my life at the time. I am continuing to do so and will now add photos of “things.” Thanks for sharing that thought.

That is a great way to get writing. I know if it were me I’d be overwhelmed by just “okay, write your life story” but to set out a photo and “just” write about that…. what a good idea! (I wish my parents and grandparents had done it.)

Actually, it’s weird/funny to think about how it’s going to be in 20 years or so. There won’t be that shoebox or album full of photos (which is still only probably hundreds for most folks), but instead vast hard drives full of thousands/millions! Overload! But at least they will be time/date stamped (and not with a date two years later when someone finally took that roll of film in to get developed…).

Taking photos is a great idea. My husband and I are retiring in three years and already starting to get rid of stuff. Some of it I never needed it and do know why I bought it, but some has memories attached. Most of that is going to kids and grandkids, but there are things that they do not want and I must find a new home for. Taking a picture will be a wonderful way to remember by. Thanks

wow what a wonderful idea.. I love the idea of taking pictures and doing like a scrap book to leave to the kids and grandkids.. well I have eight years to prepare / plan for my selling everything and getting my rv. but it will go by fast.. 🙂 Sue so sorry to hear about Bridget’s.. hope it heals up soon.. do you still have the buggy.. looking forward to seeing your new place and seeing it warmer.. we are getting ready for winter to hit supposed to be a bad one this year.. yuck.. lol.. take care love the adventure.

Janet, my grandmother was given the task of writing for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was born in 1899, and you can only imagine how many times I have read her “book.” She was an inspiration and a little country woman that owned a little crossroads country store.

Good Morning Deb,
I am so sorry to hear about your husband 🙁 I pray that every day will get easier for you. The memories (keepsakes) are so priceless. I have been on the road now since April after selling everything I owned…including my home in Vermont. As I was going through my home, I decided to take photos of things I was selling or throwing out. About 20 days ago my computer died, I had to buy a new one and they could not get my files from my old computer INCLUDING MY PICTURES…daughters wedding, my 6 months on the road, and all the pictures of my memories. I am devastated! PLEASE be sure to have an external back up system and back up EVERY day. Keep the faith…one step at a time. I will be thinking of you.

How devastating! Maybe you have already done this (and I don’t have direct experience), but there are companies that specialize in getting your “lost” data back – might be worth a try? I mean you know if you were a criminal and “just” erased it that some savvy person could get it back (only in that case of course you wouldn’t want them to).

Another thought: This would not be anything like all of what you lost, but if you have e-mailed photos to anyone, you may have copies (albeit probably not full sized) in your “sent mail” folder.

I hope you are able to get some or all of your photos back. I would be crushed if I lost all mine.

Keeping backups on the road is a thing to reckon with (especially if you are like me and don’t want your data “in the cloud”). I don’t have a perfect system, but here is what I do.

1) Laptop hard drive (obviously)

2) Two separate backup drives. These are both small, USB powered drives, but each is large enough to hold my entire data bank. In my case I use a Mac, and each backup uses a different method (both have merits/strengths). One is Time Machine (comes with the Mac) and the other is Super Duper!, a cloning program (free or cheap, the pay version allows incremental backups so saves time/power). With the entire hard drive cloned, if my computer dies I can plug the clone into any other (borrowed/new) compatible computer and it is instantly “my” computer. With the cost of storage being so reasonable now, I don’t see any reason (for me) to not have full sized backups.

Of course the weakness is that those drives are in the rig, so if it burns down or something (heaven forbid), they will be lost. I do try to keep them separate from my laptop if I’m taking a side trip or something of the like.

3) Another set of backup drives, just like those in #2, but “off site.” I don’t back these up as often, for logistical reasons, but they would be better than nothing (and of course at least sometimes they are current, just after I’ve made them).

Again, I hope that you just haven’t checked with anyone and get a happy surprise that your data can be recovered. I will cross my fingers for you and hope!

There is a cord you can buy that hooks into the harddrive that you pull from any computer and hook into another computer. I remove files all the time from old harddrives with this cable, sorry don’t have the tech. name but I bought it at tiger direct for about 20 bucks.. love it…

Hi there sorry for the late answer, but I pull the hard drive right out of the computer, then attach the cable to the prongs of the harddrive and then to another computer with usb. then move the information from the hard drive into the other computer, hopefully the information has not been wiped or corrupted, so far, I have had my sisters hard drive but it was wiped clean by the service guy, and two laptops recovered all the information, and my two very old computers that YAH got the info / pics off of those, I know use 3 external harddrives to backup information: one is for pics etc. one is personal info / tax stuff etc. one for movies and tv shows.. Love it… I still haven’t the box for the name of it but will 🙂

Deb. Although I am not a vagabond, my husband passed away a few years ago, I made the big move also, I have a totally different life and had to get rid of a lot of memories (material) in order to make the move and life style change.
It’s not easy but I emotionally let go, embraced the change and am determined to enjoy the rest of my life. With your attitude I know you will too.

The coming months hold lots of change and promise for you. Your next chapter is yet to be written…it will be presented to you when the time is right. You will always hold your dearest memories in your heart. The beauty of that is that you take them with you, wherever your future travels take you. Excellent advice about taking pictures of items! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry to hear about Bridget’s leg. She looks as if she’ll let you know when it feels better. Loved your photo with the moon–paraphrased “You see the moon & the moon sees you. God bless the moon & God bless you.” I told Jim about your departure routine–he thinks you’re very wise to do that. Safe travels!

the best feeling in the world is not having to be anywhere at a certain time. I spent all my life rushing from one place to another and not being able to stop and smell the roses. That’s got to be the best thing about being retired…”I’ll do it tomorrow”……be safe..

Love the light and color in the first photo, very expressive. It is a shame Bridget’s leg is hurting. We could call it an old war injury as she was chasing a squirrel, definitely the enemy.
Glad to hear you are making progress with the tech stuff, will we notice any differences in the blog.
Looking forward to your next campsite, the anticipation is always exciting.

I am sitting here in the AMB campground waiting to get my license. No one will be in the office until Tuesday do to the holiday. Then it is off to Kay’s.

Hi Allen…I agree with Micky. I was there for about a month getting solar…yep it took forever…long story. I will never go back. Tell Ray (in the office) that Krystina said hi. He was my lifesaver during my time there. Also tell Kay hi for me. We had several conversations and I wanted to go help her with her renovations as well. Unfortunately my schedule changed and I am in Albuquerque, NM now. Please keep us informed about the progress at Kay’s. Happy Trails Allen.

AMB campground is a vacant lot with connections. It exists for the sole purpose of it’s members getting drivers licenses. Outside of that it is a pit. I expected nothing more.
Note to all AMB members. In January Escapees will be in South Dakota also. I wonder how AMB will respond?

I was actually parked in the street with just elec and water. It is a vacant lot…really. My issue was with the RV Tech person who installed my solar. It took over two weeks to install it to begin with. It is so horrible that I am on my way to Starlight Solar in Yuma to have it fixed…the reason I could not go to Kay’s to help her.

check with wind and sun of az. in Flagstaff. They have some of the best kits and are affiliated with a company that specializes in installing soar systems in RVs. http://www.solar-electric.com/. I am just saying since you are going that way you might want to check on it. I will be buying one of their kits and since I already have batts and invertor adding solar is pretty simple.

Wonderful to hear from you and see sweet Bridge is being pampered through her difficulty,hope she can stay out of pain.You still have her stroller don’t you?I guess now the organized PTV has that where it’s handy.My female pup once hurt her leg in similar fashion,perhaps I mentioned it once before.By restricting her activity,especially jumping and rushing, as much as possible,it healed without intervention,returned briefly after a couple of years and never did again.I’ll pray for even better results for both of you through this time.

That road looks way too long to walk,and that moon too big not to wish on-I wish that the Maker of the moon brings you- solutions for every problem-that make you ever happier,now and in the long run!!!

Glad you caught us up on your days,and stayed caught up with ours,Now I’ll be happier spending time guessing about your new place,hm-m,guess I’ll make that a secret moon wish for now…may comfort come and stay in every part of you both

Glad you had a wonderful visit with your grandson and his girlfriend! It has to feel good to be offered a job….the stable folks saw firsthand your gift of such s special bond with animals. Something to consider, eh? I know you were looking for a Class C a while back….choices, so many choices…such a wonderful “problem” to have!

Oh my gosh Kay, I’d never heard of a roof actually blowing off while you were going down the road? What did you do? Where did it go? The sound must have been awful. I don’t even know how much that would pull on the tow vehicle. Glad you’re OK. Frightening!

Well, it on I-80, out in the middle of NOWHERE. WY DOT puts up the warning sign “HIGH WINDS 50 to 75MPH” and the sign is hanging high above the freeway, pass through the rock formations that are tight on the sides of the freeway, and BAM! The Wind hits us… my niece decides to use the restroom, and she closes the door… POP! She sees white stuff flying North, I am thinking someone just shot at us. We crawl and grip the wheel, limp our way into the ONLY gas station for miles and sneak behind the building. Hubby climbs up on the roof, sure enough… both sides ripped off and the flat main piece is tore/broke…. NO WAL-MART insight for MILES.

Yeah, what a nightmare alright. Happened on Good Friday… We managed to find a Wal-Mart a couple hours ahead… got some tarps… and Gorilla Tape!

By the time we reached Portland, we were taped up. The rain came….and came… and came… Took 6 weeks fighting with insurance over the deal… They PO’d me to the almost highest level possible by telling me “They check underground weather” and found NO WIND in that area… Of course, that set me into a mood that insurance did not like at all…. They were told in no uncertain terms, I would call WY DOT and THEN, the INS COMMISSIONER…. they sent their adjuster back out, he gave us insight to the problem… the adjuster handling the claim was sitting behind a desk in some city in NC and his supervisor in the LA area… They told me to take the RV to a certain repair shop… did that… repair shop was AWESOME. They took one look and told us there was no doubt in their mind it was TRUE WIND damage. What’s the freaking problem then, right? Ins did not want to pay for a complete new roof…. they TRIED everything in the book to escape their financial obligation. Including claiming I did not do PROPER maintenance. Well, at that point, I fired back my copies of the work orders from the RV shop who went through the RV with a fine tooth comb BEFORE we left on the trip. I called the shop and warned them… if Insurance deems poor maintenance on OUR part, they would be replacing the roof on my RV. We went back and forth, for a few weeks. Hubby untaped, then retaped, about 6 times. On the 7th time they requested the untaping of the tarps… Hubby and I lost our tempers and was heading to a lawyer… this happened when their ground adjuster was on sight. He was sick of the NC adjuster requesting yet another look too. I think there is like close to 300 photos of Kay’s Wind torn roof! So, my temper reached the burning stage… in the end, the roof was fully replaced, deductible waived, we were put up in a motel on the coast (our choice) for a week, meals paid, and a new windshield installed. All because of WY WIND. Grrr sore subject.

WOW! Oh my gosh! It’s terrible that insurance companies are like that! So glad you got it all worked out but jeez, too bad ya’ll had to work so hard at it. I can imagine how PO’d ya’ll were! What a nightmare indeed.
Hope ya’ll are having an exceptionally great day today!

Hope that pot of potato soup you made yesterday was yummy! Yesterday I had some items in the fridge I had to put to good use, so I threw together a frittata. Potatoes, onions, bacon, tomatoes, spinach, kalmatta olives, feta cheese, a couple of healthy dashes of hot sauce, and eggs. It was my first attempt and it turned out great! Next time, I won’t bother with the bacon. I love bacon, but it always makes such a mess to fry. A shortcut for potatoes is Simply Potatoes, pre-cubed – found in the Dairy section, near the eggs. Being single, a bag of potatoes usually will go bad before I can use it all, so SP is a good option for me.

You are feeding your crew very well! Pork chops and rice, homemade soup….Mmmmm. Cooking for family and friends is the ultimate gesture of love!

Kiddo! Wise choice to stay put. Even if your rig can handle it, it’s no fun fighting the wind while driving. And it contributes to stress, physically, as well as mentally.

As for us, I have to say I’m a lucky man. I married right. Yesterday, I’m up on the roof of the motorhome. We’re mounting the solar panels. And up the ladder comes Sharon, WITH a Starbucks Frappacino in hand. She plops down on the roof, and after a few minutes asks “can I drill some of those bracket holes for you?” Say WHAT? Well, yaa-a!

You have us wondering where your next camp will be. Looking forward to your next post. Be safe.

Maybe Bridget is a bit older than we think? We had to give our last dog the chondroitin/glucosamine stuff each day…seemed to help her. We did that the last maybe 4 or 5 years of her life. She loved to jump and just could not remember in her old age not to do that anymore!! I have no idea of the dose for Bridget’s size however. Safe travels, Sue…best to stay put I have heard, when it is windy!! There is another day to travel more safely no doubt.

Thanks so much, Weather…I am doing ok…but hubby still struggling….of course, if I could get him to eat more veggies and eat pickled asparagus when something is coming on…maybe he would not get sick eh?? But as the saying goes, that is like pulling hen’s teeth!!

Glad you stayed put for another night. Even if cold, better than high winds to travel in, for sure. Even if your rig can handle the winds it does cause such problems for other drivers, factors beyond your control are never good. Miss Bridget, poor sweet girl to be feeling leg pains right now. Maybe it is the drop in temps that is causing her leg to flare up now. Changes in temps often cause older injuries to flare. I used to give our terrier some Dinatap or some Robitussin, I can’t remember which one is best for dogs. Do a search on the web about giving them to dogs. Just a small amount relaxes the mussels enough to ease the pain for moving and sleeping. Sure hope she is feeling better soon! About cold nights… Do you sleep with a hot water bottle? At your feet or your back? It is devine in Winter!

I have heard that waterbeds are a great relief from the colds of Winter. I sersiously thought about getting one but had second and third thoughts when thinking about my Golden Retriever getting on it when I’m gone for the day. Visions of coming home to water knee deep was enough to cause me to rethink it, lol. like that wasn’t enough to think about but I would hsve to give up some weight to add the extra water load for the mattress. The nice new, larger RVs can hold the weight but my little 19ft Airstream might not fare so well. Nice thought though. Maybe someday to upgrade…but for now I still love this little camper.

Glad to hear that some of the “stuff” is coming together and no doubt a wise choice to wait for the wind to die down. It’s not like your next camp is going anywhere, we get there when we get there.

So sorry to hear that Bridget’s old chipmunk injury is flaring up, but then again I always thought she looked pretty adorable in that stroller. 🙂
Seriously though I hope she heals with just a bit of rest, I won’t ask you to get her an extra pat on the rump so maybe an extra kiss.

For some Chipmunk chasin’ is the most serious of contact sports. Now knowing “The Bridgeanator” I’m sure she gives 110% every game so injuries like this over the course of a long season are just part of the game.

Still she is a huge part of this team and her presence and passion will be missed.

So, it is getting fabulous down herein southern AZ Sue. Days are low 80s and nights are 60. It is wonderful weather. You guys in other places don’t know…it is just the best weather
ever. I’m sitting here in my recliner with my sliding door open, feeling the soft, cool night breezes. Aaaahhhh…..

When I drove the 16 foot moving van cross country, towing my car, I was in heavy wind all the way. Exhausting and nerve wracking. Much better to wait for a calm day.

Hey Sue and Bridget!
Sorry to hear Bridget’s leg is bothering her again. Get well soon Bridge! XOXO
Hope ya’ll are warm and happy.
I wish so much I knew WordPress and could help you with the techie stuff! I know it’s a PITA.
Love the pics (great!) always. 🙂

Hi Sue,, Sometimes you bring back memories I want to forget,,
like the time my shopping bag broke and I had cans under a few cars
never again,, I double bag now… Hang in there Bridget the Az. heat
is just around the block…
Safe Travel’s Sue

Hugs and tummy rubs for sweet Bridget! Bless her heart! Never fun having a kink in your get-along!
Chuck doesn’t like driving in the wind either, wise choice to sit it out!
Our flood is over, but we are still evacuated from our campground. Last week we counted 30 alligators sunning on the side of the road in a 5 mile distance I took a video of one… He/she was as long as my Chevy Trailblazer! Posted it on Facebook. We will start cleaning up our campground this Week, the other 2 are open and dried out, ours is still a bit soggy. Wild turkeys everywhere as well as deer and a gazillion birds!
Can’t wait to see your new camp! Drive safe. You are loved and in our prayers!

Good Morning, just got back from the doctor, good check up, all systems go, so I am going, tomorrow, to Oregon….Yippee…..I am so glad you are back Sue, not that I missed you or anything…Weather, Kay and I kept the home fires burning along with the rest of the village…I will be AFK for the next week, so carry on, know that I will be missing all you and I will try to grab a look at the blog when I get to town, but will not be able to post anything. I hope Bridget’s leg recovers after resting it and she will be running down the road with you again. These things happen after starting exercise programs…

Weather, while I am gone, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, or do anything that takes you away from us…be in touch when I get back.

Let’s see now… I have a lot of left over paint… hum, could I get to that beach and back before Shirlene returns??? Thinking…. Oh shoot, can’t pull if off as Alan will soon be here.. boy is Shirlene a lucky lady!!! 🙂

Hey, Kay I know better than to mention you not doing anything I wouldn’t do…I am the good Nerd remember. I think that you would tackle anything, especially if someone told you not to…so continue on Kay, you are one whippersnapper…

Oh,Have a wonderful time Shirlene- all through your trip and time AFK,hope it’s even better than you expect!I’ll enjoy thinking about you thoroughly free from routine,and will love all the more our morning coffee visits when you get back.Make no foolish choices-got it -I won’t! 🙂 be extra good to and in touch with yourself until you are with us again,weather

Hang in there Bridget. It’s 9:15 and 76 sunny degrees in my Arizona patio. It’ll get ya healed up. I saw this little article about a gal who is taking the plunge (not full time apparently) into Trailer camping. You may enjoy reading it. I thought of all the maintenance she hasn’t thought of but I wish her well anyhow. Nice day all….

I, too, just read that on a Yahoo link. Wonder how she is doing now. It stopped with her cleaning it and getting ready to go. Hope there is a follow-up story from her. Tiny trailers, gotta luv’em, repair costs and all. We have two RVs and our 19ft Airstream is still my favorite by far! Certainly not the newest but it just feels cosy all the time. Like RV Sue, i’m into cozy, small and easy to maintain. My son has lived in it before, for a several months while home from the US Army. Then it was back to mine again. I’m not anywhere close to handing it over yet, LOL. I still have traveling to do!

Thanks for sharing the article. The canned ham trailers are so cute! I would be concerned about the unseen rot, leaks, or other problems that can plague an older trailer. I have read quite a few articles about folks having to strip them down to the frame and rebuild from scratch. A fun project if you are handy and have the time, patience, and money to put into it. Shasta is manufacturing a limited supply of new 2015 Airflyte (I think that is the model name…) 1969 style trailers – complete with the aluminum wings. They have added a wet bath and side A/C unit. It is priced around $18k.

We had the same goal as you, RV Sue— seeking warmer temps. So we headed southwest from the far NE of New Mexico where it was getting really cold at night. Now just outside Deming, NM at a park out in the desert. Had to travel 9+ miles on gravel road but the scenery is beautiful. And, tho’ not a site RV Sue would typically select, we think it’s great. $12.81/night for FHU, showers, laundry & WiFi w Passport America & no limit on # of days at that rate. Very nice.

One of our favorite NM State Parks is very close to Deming! City of Rocks State Park is set up for bookdocking amid all the huge rocks or if you prefer there are pull thru sites with water and electric. There is a dump station nearby.

Dear Bridget,
Hope you are feeling better. Soon you will be in some warmer weather and everything will be much better.
Do me a favor…. tell RVSue her writing has a way of picking up my spirit sometimes and it did again today.
Safe travels….

While I don’t have any pets now, I know the comfort that they provide. I’ve seen folks using backpacks and baby carriers to transport their puppies about when walking is a problem for some reason – like unexpected stickers, too many sharp rocks, fatigue, injury, etc..

I had a cat once that liked to go on after-dinner walks, but in the winter, her chosen place was inside my jacket with the zipper open enough for her to see where we were going.

Utah night temps are dropping which signals summer camping and boating are over. Time to store the toys down south while we continue to toil up north, counting the days, actually years to retirement. Hope Bridget gets feeling better soon. She is a wonderful companion. Can’t imagine life without our furry paws.

I laughed about the Chipmonk injury, my dog Holly injured her leg chasing Squirrels, it must be a common complaint because when I took her to the vet he said, “chasing squirrels Huh? ” country vets see it a lot. He said “don’t let her chase squirrels” yea right. Holly is now waiting for me in Heaven but I have sweet memories of her and the antics she got up too.

Can’t wait to see the next episode of your ongoing adventure, and see your lovely photos too.
Poor Bridget, it is a real pain in the catukis to have a pain in the catukis! Do you do massage on her hurt leg when she is gimpy? My Arlo has a leg that bothers him and I massage his whole hind end when he gets gimpy, he loves it and it does seem to,help.

I am headed out Tuesday to go visit my sister in Astoria Oregon, if you get back to the Pacific Northwest put it on your list. She has a small farm and is about a half mile from the Columbia river..this area is wonderful and was on my bucket list for a long time, now I get to go stay for free! Check it out online when you have good internet connection, wow…
My best to the blogorinos too! What a lovely family!

I know u r a private individual – I also know that your birthday is coming up (my daughter had her birthday on 10/10) but I think u r special as it was your blog I started with & your comments & referrals to other bloggers that led me into a space to take the place of 37 years of work & interactions with others I was missing. ?..So I have left u a message on my blog for your special day I hope u have a great day Go look www . lesalp.blogspot.com.au so we can celebrate HAPPY BIRTHDAY. …cheers from Leslie xxx

Glad you didn’t leave when it was windy. I know you could have handled it but why be miserable driving. Bridget has been doing so good with the exercising. So sorry to hear she is hurting. Praying she feels better soon.
Anxious to see the next camp and all the wonderful pictures. Travel safely. Lots of Love!!

Hi Pauline,nice to see you here.I like that phrase”could have handled it but why be miserable” ,that makes sense in a lot of choices.I pray nothing is making you miserable and that all is well with you and yours.

Morning friends! Today, for the first time since early June before I had knee surgery, I’m going to my coffee group! I’m excited! Tuesday’s we meet at Starbucks. Got to walk ?Chloe and get ready and go, so I just jumped on for a minute to say hi! I’ll check in later. Have a great morning!

Happy Birthday RvSue! We are headed out to Big Bend Natl. Park on that day and then on over to Davis Mts. State Park. I was just thinking yesterday how complicated camping has gotten as I have gotten older. Used to be you just threw a few things into the car and head out. Now its make reservations, clean the trailer, make a detailed grocery list, wash the dog, etc. etc. etc. But, now that I am older I don’t WANT to sleep on the ground! Ha! So, I guess I will have to put up with the extra work for a few more comforts. Big Bend is rationing water so we will have to take extra with us. Hopefully temps will be only in the upper 80’s but Davis Mts should be cooler. Keeping fingers crossed…

Hi Terri,
I live in Alpine, about 25 miles from Davis Mtn. State Park. It got down to 39 last night, always a little cooler at the park as they are about 700 ft. higher. Days are beautiful in the mid 70’s. Have fun!

A note about choosing domicile state and mail services.
I know Sue uses AMB as do I and I am sure several others here do. My primary reason for AMB was it was South Dakota and it’s benefits. Although I like Escapees mail service better it was in Texas, enough said. I am a member of Escappes even though I don’t use its service. I just received notification that they now support Florida as a domicile state and the first of the year they will be in South Dakota too.
I am not trying to influence anyones decision. Just wanted you to know the choices have expanded. I haven’t even decided yet if I am going to change.

Thank you, Alan. This gives newcomers another option, and gives us old timers something to think about.

One of these days, I’ll get EVERYTHING organized as I once was… so I like knowing this option will soon be available.

We’ll in a day or two, we’ll run off to a Harbor Freight, spend more money to get an electric winch to get this steel building up. I’ll NEVER to do this kind of project again, steel building that is.

Waterbeds, they are assembled in the house… now if only I could find the desire to get my butt in there and fill the babies. First things first… I have to WASH my purse as I not thinking the other day, drop a darn sweet and sour sauce from Wendy’s in it… then later I must have stepped on my purse as I always leave the thing laying on the floor. You can figure out what happened. All I can say is that I will have the CLEANEST damn money to spend at Harbor Freight went we get there.

Aw, those unexpected extra jobs can really wear on a person…hope you get to sleep all cozy in your nice warm waterbed tonight!! Truly nice to have a waterbed…we slept so cozy when we used to have one….maybe someday we will again!!

Bridget and I arrived safely at our new camp. No internet connection. We moved to another camp. No internet connection. Both camps, however, have been delightful!

I’m typing this as we sit in the PTV in the grocery parking lot. I’m typing very fast because I don’t want the Tillamook ice cream to melt. 🙂

I have a special day planned for myself and Bridget tomorrow. Thank you for the early birthday wishes (Leslie… I commented on your blog.). Bridget and I have been very busy lately having fun. She’s enjoying rides in the stroller.

I feel a bit guilty about not posting. I promise to write a new post very soon!

Thanks for keeping the blog alive in my absence. I enjoyed reading your comments. I love how you help each other with encouragement, congratulations and advice. Safe travels to those of you on the road and best wishes to everyone.

Delightful camps and Tillamook,a special day planned for your HAPPY BIRTHDAY,you’re both safe,Bridget is enjoying stroller rides,that’s all the post I needed to be happy.Thank you ever so for it,enjoy a guiltless break,love you,weather

Hi Sue,, Well Happy Birthday Sue,, Don’t the years go by fast now,,,
little story I have to share that I made the kids do,,
we had 6 kids and when ever it was one’s birthday they had to sent
a card to their mother.. I told them they had nothing to do with it..
so make sure that card is not late on your mother’s BIRTH DAY
Now we have 18 grand kids and 5 great grand kids and many of
them are doing the same…
Safe Travels Sue…

Oh dear Bridget…………….I can sympathise with you. This blogarino has torn a ligament in her ankle and is on crutches and in a moon boot. Not a happy camper at all, as it means no work, no riding my horse and generally not much participation in life at all. Being my right leg I can’t drive so am well and truly confined to barracks. I have caught up on several posts to see what you and Mum have been up to. Mum’s photography has been simply awesome………….so loving the autumn colours and the area where you have been camped. I do hope your injury is helped by the rest and how lucky are you that you have such an understanding and loving Mum……thinking of you………..paw hugs to you!

Happy Birthday, RVSue! We are co-Libras (me, October 7). Libras search for beauty and justice. You have achieved both on the road! Tillamook ice cream, eh? My thing is brownies! Trader Joe has a brand that sprinkles sea salt on top!!!! Do you ever, ever find any Trader Joe’s in your travels?

My neighbor just told me about your blog. Reading your experiences is just WONDERFUL!
I work in a gray, small cubical watching the lovely pictures of mountains and oceans grace my desktop on the computer while I’m discussing Educational Financial Aid to students about 50 hours a week.
I recently own a little 10ft fiberglass trailer like a Scamp. You’re living my someday-dream. I’m still raising a family and must make the bills and be responsible for my sweet family now but one day I will be like you. ……… what a joy to ‘travel’ with you

Hi Michelle-you know commenting makes you one of us blogorinos,glad your neighbor sent you here.Sweet families make waiting worth it all,now you have the joy of them and traveling with Sue-life is good 🙂

Hi Michelle, Welcome to the group! We do have fun here and the people who are around a lot during the day keep the lights on while Sue isn’t able to respond. So glad to have you join the rest of us blog followers!!

Hi Michelle! Welcome aboard with us. This is a great place to dream, plan and make friends. Most of us are here almost every day. Sue is traveling to camps that have no internet, but she will be back with us soon enough. Stay and play!

Sorry you are feeling blue….hope today you will feel better…you guys have been so super busy…one needs to rest here and there too!!….and eat some yummy food!! The hubby still fighting a cold here, so we are not out and about…never saw the worth of spreading germs…in spite of the fact, most likely the dental tech gave it to him!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Dear Sue,
I’m wishing you a wonderful birthday and another great year of beauty and adventures. Thank you for taking us with you. You teach us, entertain us and connect us. I hope sweet Bridget is feeling a little better.

Happy Birthday Sue. Glad all is well and you are doing what you love. I love the mental image of Bridgett sitting in the baby stoller. I used to have a cat named Tinkerbell and he loved going for walks in our baby stroller or my daughters doll pram. She would dress him up in her doll clothes and take him for walks down the sidewalk and he would purr the whole time.

Good morning guys! Weather, what are you up to? And Kay, I know you are working hard on something. shirlene is in Oregon. Denise? Elizabeth? Alan? Mick? Rick? What are all my blogorino friends doing today?

I’m hoping to get a lot done on my mail and filing, and the nurse is coming to torture me with my wound. Have therapy later and going to the gym.

I hope your day goes as well as it can, Ginger…considering that the torture comes today!! (Do you take a bit of ibuprofen or Tylenol an hour or so before the torture?? Might take some of the edge off of it). We are just hibernating still here…rainy Seattle day….the mostly misty type….hubby still trying to get well from his cold…so far we have had to cancel all events this week….so kind of sad about that…but it is life. He says he should be ok to take me Friday AM for a skin doc apt (argh…with light freckled skin…by this age, I often have places burnt off…oh well, better than having cancer). I finally completed a quilt top for grandson’s bed, done yesterday, washed and ready to take over…plenty of other projects to go…think I will work some today on shortening some long pants for myself…maybe some for hubby too…there is ironing, cooking, etc. When a husband is around lots more cooking goes on you know…well, if I don’t want him just snacking all the time. Today making some homemade sour cream chicken enchiladas (gluten free of course). He LOVES that dish…it is only mildly spiced…enjoyable is what it is…comfort food. Tacos last night…we are on a Mexican food binge I guess….well, have a nice day if you can, Ginger. I am grateful for rainy and cool cause for one thing it is SOOOOOOOOO much quieter in the neighborhood!!! YEA!!!

Hi Ginger,
Loved seeing that you’re getting ideas about travel trailers-means you’re far from giving up on dreams!Flipped channels earlier to catch the radar for rain here today and stopped when I saw women dancing while a guy sang country music,thought of you and me and smiled…

Have to go hunt up your blog addy again, Kay…I need to get my favorites list up and going again…heh, or have hubby get it set up….my regular computer is in storage back in NC…and this little one is not up to par. Eventually I get the addy in my brain but it takes awhile…been reading RVSue for so long that it is in there now. Hope you manage to get lots accomplished today…when there is so much to do, some days are rather dizzy…

Since Sue asked us not to post new links to other sites until she’s through working out tech issues -for now you can scroll up this page,on the right are listed recent posts,click on “Leaves”-Kay had her blog address there-the one in purple (look for the time 10:57 to be sure it’s the one)click that ,hope this helps Elizabeth.

Kay,you might need to re-enter your website before you post your next comment so folks can click your name to get to your blog.

I don’t do carpet. My old knees can’t take it. 🙂
Is there a place to get propane near you. The FLying J hear is repaving the area in front of their propane tank and I might not be able to fill up before I leave on Saturday.